Whats that spell? TAIAHA?

[colin henshaw]

From the images, the inscription does seem to read "Taiaha"...

A quick internet search reveals there are flourishing taiaha fencing schools in New Zealand, and on the face of it probably this is a 20th century practice taiaha, perhaps for a boy or youth.

Other less likely scenarios are - a film prop or a hobbyist production, but difficult to say for sure.

Regards.

[Tim Simmons]

Yes it could be an old training Taiaha. I have just found a plain Pouwhenua. I was going to post pictures of similar clubs from the British Museum Maori collection but they all had decorative carving. I provide the link and have expanded the picture. This does not mean what I have is old but it does establish plain forms, and by that the one I have could possibly be old? It is well patinated? As has been shown many times some old things need not look how you think they should or want?
http://www.new-guinea-tribal-art.com...weapons-maori/

[Tim Simmons]

The fellow on the right has the very same form. Which is interesting. So it could be 19th century. From "Maori carving illustrated, W.J. Phillips, Reed Books NZ.

[VANDOO]

HERE IS A PICTURE OF SOME MAORI BOYS IN TRAINING WITH SMALLER CLUBS SOME APPEAR TO BE MORE PLAIN. PERHAPS YOU HAVE SOFTWARE TO ZOOM IN FOR A BETTER LOOK.

[Tim Simmons]

This one is 1cm longer than mine but decorated. In the Leiden Museum.
http://www.volkenkunde.nl/collection...00\9000991.JPG